Alabama offensive lineman Chance Warmack (65) takes a break during the first practice of the season in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Thur., Aug. 5, 2010. (The Birmingham News / Mark Almond)

TUSCALOOSA -- The return of Alabama center William Vlachos from an illness Saturday marked the first time the Crimson Tide's first-team offensive line has been together since Oct. 11.

That's when Alabama right tackle D.J. Fluker suffered a severe groin injury and was sidelined for three games before his return against Mississippi State on Nov. 13. He was replaced by Alfred McCullough, who started four games before Fluker's return during the 30-10 win against the Bulldogs.

In the first quarter of that game, right guard Barrett Jones suffered a high-ankle sprain, forcing him to miss the final two games of the regular season. Jones was replaced by Anthony Steen.

The left side of the offensive line has been anchored by tackle James Carpenter and guard Chance Warmack. Carpenter, who will play in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 29, has started 26 consecutive games. Warmack, a sophomore, has started every game this season.

"This is really the first time we've had the offensive line sort of back together was today," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "So, hopefully, we'll be able to continue to make progress with that group."

Saban talks signees: Now that the paperwork is signed and in-hand, Saban could talk about the three junior-college players signed last week.

Arizona Western linemen Jesse Williams and Aaron Douglas and East Mississippi lineman Quinton Dial will enroll in January to take part in the offseason conditioning program. All three will immediately compete for playing time.

Saban said Douglas, who played at Tennessee before going to Arizona Western, will have a chance to replace Carpenter at left tackle.

"With James leaving, it's always good to have that experience," Saban said. "...That will help us tremendously keep our depth and give us a quality guy to play left tackle. He's been a starter in this league before, even though he played right tackle at Tennessee. He played left tackle in junior college."

Saban said Williams should compete for time at noseguard thanks to his 6-foot-4, 330-pound frame.

"Even though he had a knee problem this year and missed a significant amount of time, he was a big, physical guy inside that we could use probably at nose three or five technique," Saban said.

"Really, one of the goals of this year's recruiting is to upgrade the quality athleticism, the depth up front on defense. I think we had less tackles for loss, less sacks, things like that that maybe we can improve on."

Saban said Barron, who is recovering from surgery to repair a torn right pectoral muscle, is expected to take approximately four months to heal and should be ready for spring practice.

Barron, who led the Tide with 75 tackles, could be one of several Alabama juniors to consider an early jump to the NFL.

"This is not an injury that is going to affect his future in any way," Saban said. "It is one that will require some down time to heal."

Saban said linebacker Adrian Hubbard missed the past two days with back spasms.

Practice schedule: Alabama returns to the field this afternoon for its fifth practice in four days in preparation for the Capital One Bowl against Michigan State on Jan. 1.

Today, the Tide turns more of its focus toward the Spartans after using the first four practices to hone fundamentals.

The Tide will practice through Wednesday before breaking for the holidays. The team will reunite Christmas night in Orlando to prepare for a bowl obligation the morning of Dec. 26.

"We made quite a bit of progress," Saban said. "We've had four practices in three days now. The first day back, you wonder if you're ever going to get back to where you want to be. But each day we made a little bit of progress. I always think that fourth practice, especially after practicing twice yesterday, is sort of the hump day for everybody to get through psychologically."